Head, Investigation Section

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE:  please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.

This post is a limited-term fixed-term post.

1.         Organizational Context

a.  Organizational Setting

The post is located in the Investigation Section of the Internal Oversight Division (IOD). IOD serves as an independent and objective reviewer of WIPO operations and activities, examining operations and activities based on risk and relevance to WlPO management and constituencies with a view towards promoting economy, efficiency, effectiveness and impact of the Secretariat's work.

b.  Purpose Statement

As Head of Section, the incumbent is responsible for the investigation of allegations of fraud, waste and mismanagement and other financial and administrative misconduct, including allegations of harassment or other abuse of authority.  

c.  Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Director of IOD, in accordance with the provisions of the Internal Oversight Charter (rev 2021), and in cooperation and coordination with the Human Resources Management Department, the Office of the Legal Counsel, the Ethics Office and the Ombudsman as appropriate.

2.         Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent performs the following principal duties:

a.     Lead, direct and coordinate the investigation activities of the Section, ensuring international investigation standards are met and ILOAT jurisprudence is taken into account.

b.     Conduct complex and/or sensitive investigations.

c.     Identify issues requiring management attention and make recommendations on preventive or corrective measures derived from investigation findings, including on improving existing systems, policies, and procedures, strengthening internal controls, or otherwise preventing similar incidents from recurring (lessons learned from the investigation).

d.     Monitor actions taken and assess the adequacy of response to recommendations and periodically report thereon.

e.     Define, update and implement investigative procedures and processes. Draft, revise or contribute to the definition of the Organization's oversight policies and procedures, in particular those related to investigations.

f.      Conduct fraud risk assessments, maintain a fraud risk register and develop and implement an anti-fraud strategy. Conduct proactive investigations to propose measures to mitigate risk of fraud.

g.     Represent the Organization at inter-agency forums and participate in senior management meetings on issues related to investigation.

h.     Provide overall leadership and management of the Investigation Section and ensure the effective and efficient management of staff, financial and material resources in the Investigation team.

i.      Perform other tasks as assigned by the Director.

3.         Requirements

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in law, management, accounting, finance, auditing, or a related discipline. A first-level university degree plus two years of relevant experience in addition to the experience requested below may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience (Essential)

At least ten years of relevant professional experience in conducting investigations and managing investigation teams, of which a minimum of five years in an international environment.

Experience in at least one of the following areas: Forensic Accounting, Fraud & Financial Investigations, Business Intelligence, Internal Audit and Compliance.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in conducting investigations and managing investigation teams in an international environment.

Combined experience in the following areas: Forensic Accounting, Fraud & Financial Investigations,

Business Intelligence, Internal Audit and Compliance.

Experience analyzing complete and complex data sets to identify anomalies and trends using contemporary data analytics tools such as Excel, IDEA, Power BI, Python, and Tableau.

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.

Language (Desirable)

Good knowledge of French.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Communication, presentation and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Ability to make decisions under pressure and to work under tight deadlines.

Ability to exercise sound and expert judgment, initiative, and discretion and handle confidential and sensitive material.

Report writing and reviewing skills, with an appropriate focus on attention to detail, conciseness and risk management.

Analytical and structured problem-solving skills.

Ability to effectively use current technology and software, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems. 

IT skills and knowledge of software programs, including Microsoft Excel, OneDrive, PowerPoint, and Sharepoint.

Ability to adapt to a dynamic environment often accompanied by shifting priorities and stringent deadlines.

Ability to provide professional leadership, managerial, and analytical work in investigative techniques; resourcefulness, initiative, highly developed judgment and interpersonal skills to deal with difficult situations and sensitive issues.

Ability to establish and maintain credibility and trust throughout the Organization; ability to work effectively with staff and managers at all levels, on developing trust and demonstrating fairness and objectivity; display courtesy, tact, and sensitivity in managing confidential information.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Knowledge of administrative law, criminal law, the law and procedures of international organizations.

4.         Organizational Competencies

1.  Communicating effectively.

2.  Showing team spirit.

3.  Demonstrating integrity.